After 4 successful films, many fans wondered what Toy Story 5 could do differently. According to director and writer Andrew Stanton, the answer was clear from the beginning. Instead of focusing on Woody or Buzz Lightyear again, he wanted to tell a story centered on Jessie, one of the franchise’s most important characters.
“That was the only reason I wanted to do it,” said Stanton in a recent interview. “I wanted to write whatever I wanted Toy Story 5 to be and see where I wanted to explore. And right away I was like, I want to explore Jessie. I want to put her in the main driver’s seat.”
Jessie first appeared in Toy Story 2 and quickly became a fan favorite. Her story stood out because it showed the emotional side of being a toy. Through her memories of being left behind by her owner, viewers saw a character who understood loss and abandonment better than anyone else in the series.
Co director and co writer Mckenna Harris said many people involved with the film felt it was time for Jessie to take on a bigger role.
“I think a lot of us felt it was kind of overdue,” she says. “Jessie is just a great character and she deserves the spotlight. It’s why she got the badge in Four.”
Producer Lindsey Collins also explained why the team felt Jessie was the right choice for the film’s main focus.
“She has more backstory than any of them. We know the most about her of any of the characters, including Buzz and Woody. She has her own past in a way no other character does and so it felt like it’s just sitting there.”
In Toy Story 5, Jessie’s personal history is expected to play a larger role in the story. The film follows Woody, Buzz, Jessie and the rest of the toys as they face a new challenge in Bonnie’s life. A tablet device named Lilypad enters the picture and has its own ideas about what is best for Bonnie. This creates a conflict between traditional playtime and modern technology, raising questions about the toys’ place in her world.
Toy Story 5 is directed by Academy Award winner Andrew Stanton, co directed by Kenna Harris, produced by Lindsey Collins and features music by Randy Newman. The film is scheduled to release in theatres across India in English and Hindi on 19th June 2026.